“Becoming Santi”: The Thunder Express Leader Takes on Giants in Netflix’s ‘Mad Unicorn’

By Netflix

Netflix’s latest Thai series, Mad Unicorn, has taken the world by storm, shooting to the #1 spot in Thailand just one day after its May 29 premiere. The series continues its meteoric rise, achieving the fourth spot on Netflix’s Top 10 Non-English TV chart globally within its first week.

Mad Unicorn, inspired by the story of Thailand’s first unicorn startup in the express delivery industry, has garnered widespread acclaim for its compelling narrative and the dedication of its cast. Under the masterful direction of Nottapon Boonprakob, the series transforms a story inspired by true events into a fiercely intense narrative, as viewers root for the underdog startup, Thunder Express. Led by Santi Saelee (Natara Nopparatayapon), Thunder Express battles against established giants and overcomes numerous obstacles to become Thailand’s first unicorn.

The Journey to Becoming ‘Santi’

While audiences have long admired Natara Nopparatayapon’s talent, his portrayal of Santi is being hailed as his most challenging role yet. Mad Unicorn presented Natara with new hurdles, including intensive Mandarin language training and the longest monologue of his career — entirely in Mandarin.

“I wanted viewers to truly believe in Santi,” Natara explains.” I needed to understand his origins and what drove him.” He immersed himself in the character, leaving no stone unturned to deliver an authentic and compelling performance.

A Deep Dive into the Making of the Character

Natara had only two months to prepare his Mandarin dialogue, ensuring that Santi sounded not just like a Thai person speaking Chinese, but a fluent speaker. Under the guidance of language coach Chanintorn Pitakwarakorn, Natara mastered the fundamentals of Mandarin pronunciation, refining his articulation to achieve a native-like accent. The language coach provided detailed audio and video recordings, allowing Natara to memorize lines, understand nuances, and perfect his delivery. His dedication paid off, earning praise from audiences and even director Nottapon, who noted that Natara never missed a line throughout the entire filming.

Every Detail Matters: Crafting the Perfect Santi

Natara’s commitment extended beyond language. He transformed his appearance, studied Santi’s background, and even visited the remote Doi Wawee in northern Thailand to observe the lives of the local people. He proactively suggested additions to the character, too. During script readings, Natara envisioned Santi leading his riders on a wheelie-popping motorcycle — so he secretly honed his motorcycle skills and pitched the idea to the director, resulting in a powerful and memorable scene.

The series’ exceptional production design has also drawn praise, playing a crucial role in bringing Santi and Thunder Express to life. Director Nottapon notes, “The production design elevated the series far beyond the script. It made it easier for the director, actors, and camera crew to believe that we were truly in the world of this Netflix series.”

Watch the dedication behind Natara’s transformation here. If you haven’t already, experience the electrifying world of Mad Unicorn, a series inspired by true events that is sure to ignite hope and inspiration in viewers across the world. Stream it now, only on Netflix.